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Adam Levitan

Football Daily Dose

Fear the Beast

Coming into this season, Marshawn Lynch had a strong down arrow next to his name. He looked like a simple plodder in 12 games with the Seahawks a year ago, averaging just 3.47 yards per carry. His new quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, doesn’t threaten defenses. And his offensive line was well below average.

So what’s going on here? Yes, Lynch is breaking tackles at the highest rate in the league. He’s running to contact, but is too physical for most defenders. He’s eating Skittles like they’re going out of style. He’s in Beast Mode.

However, let’s hold off on calling Lynch an elite back, one that belongs in the same class as those aforementioned backs. Take a close look at the matchups.

Lynch has faced top-10 run defenses six times this season. In those games, he’s averaging just 52.6 yards per game and getting 3.22 yards per carry with three touchdowns. In the six games against other defenses, he’s averaging 105.5 yards per game and getting 4.98 yards per carry with five touchdowns.

In other words, Lynch is abusing bad defenses and struggling against good ones. It’s reminiscent of last season when the Bucs’ passing game got overhyped thanks to a cake schedule. Lynch gets two more top-10 defenses over the next two weeks in the Bears and Niners. His owners should be concerned and those looking to next season shouldn't overreact to this streak.

RAMS at SEAHAWKS RANDOM THOUGHTSSam Bradford started and finished the game, but could barely move thanks to his balky ankle. He’s a much better quarterback than he has shown all season. … Danario Alexander dropped an easy touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. … Brandon Lloyd is a player. With a healthy Bradford and a full offseason, he’ll be a value pick next year. … Lance Kendricks looked really slow on his only catch of the day. Perhaps he’s playing hurt. … If you’re going to trust anyone in Seattle’s passing game, it has to be Doug Baldwin. He led the way with eight targets last night.

Editor’s Note: For early rankings, projections, the Running Back report, the top-200 going forward list and much more, check out the Season Pass!

NEWS OF THE DAY #1The Packers got good news on Greg Jennings’ knee injury Monday. Fantasy owners did not.

Jennings sprained the MCL in his left knee during Sunday’s win over the Raiders. The official timetable is 2-3 weeks, meaning we won’t see Jennings until the second round of the NFL playoffs. He should be 100 percent with that game nearly five weeks away.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: QUARTERBACKS AND WIDE RECEIVERSBen Roethlisberger has a Grade 1 ankle sprain. He should be fine for Week 15. … Matt Hasselbeck’s calf injury is mild, but the Titans could very well use this as an opportunity to turn to Jake Locker. … Eagles WR Steve Smith (knee) is done for the year. … Chaz Schilens aggravated his foot injury in Week 14. … Kevin Kolb (concussion) is in doubt. … Jeremy Maclin’s hamstring tightened up on him in the second half in Week 14. He’s hard to trust right now. … Nate Washington aggravated his ankle injury late in the loss to the Saints. He’s in doubt. … Stevie Johnson is dealing with a hand injury.

WAIVERSDEFENSIVE SPOT STARTSAdding a different defense/special teams each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Here are units that might be on waivers to consider this week for streaming purposes:

1. BENGALS at Rams - The Bengals’ defense is no longer the elite unit it was in the first half of the season thanks to injuries, but they’re still solid. The Rams are averaging 11.0 points per game over the last six games and are on a short week.

2. FALCONS vs. Jaguars - It’s safe to say that the Jags’ 41-point Week 14 outburst had more to do with the Bucs’ miserable defense than any watershed moment for Blaine Gabbert and the offense. They are still ranked dead last in the league in yards per game.

3. COWBOYS at Bucs - After Sunday night’s heartbreaker, the Cowboys are in a total desperation spot against a banged up Josh Freeman.

Bonus play: TITANS at Colts

Coming into this season, Marshawn Lynch had a strong down arrow next to his name. He looked like a simple plodder in 12 games with the Seahawks a year ago, averaging just 3.47 yards per carry. His new quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, doesn’t threaten defenses. And his offensive line was well below average.

So what’s going on here? Yes, Lynch is breaking tackles at the highest rate in the league. He’s running to contact, but is too physical for most defenders. He’s eating Skittles like they’re going out of style. He’s in Beast Mode.

However, let’s hold off on calling Lynch an elite back, one that belongs in the same class as those aforementioned backs. Take a close look at the matchups.

Lynch has faced top-10 run defenses six times this season. In those games, he’s averaging just 52.6 yards per game and getting 3.22 yards per carry with three touchdowns. In the six games against other defenses, he’s averaging 105.5 yards per game and getting 4.98 yards per carry with five touchdowns.

In other words, Lynch is abusing bad defenses and struggling against good ones. It’s reminiscent of last season when the Bucs’ passing game got overhyped thanks to a cake schedule. Lynch gets two more top-10 defenses over the next two weeks in the Bears and Niners. His owners should be concerned and those looking to next season shouldn't overreact to this streak.

RAMS at SEAHAWKS RANDOM THOUGHTSSam Bradford started and finished the game, but could barely move thanks to his balky ankle. He’s a much better quarterback than he has shown all season. … Danario Alexander dropped an easy touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. … Brandon Lloyd is a player. With a healthy Bradford and a full offseason, he’ll be a value pick next year. … Lance Kendricks looked really slow on his only catch of the day. Perhaps he’s playing hurt. … If you’re going to trust anyone in Seattle’s passing game, it has to be Doug Baldwin. He led the way with eight targets last night.

Editor’s Note: For early rankings, projections, the Running Back report, the top-200 going forward list and much more, check out the Season Pass!

NEWS OF THE DAY #1The Packers got good news on Greg Jennings’ knee injury Monday. Fantasy owners did not.

Jennings sprained the MCL in his left knee during Sunday’s win over the Raiders. The official timetable is 2-3 weeks, meaning we won’t see Jennings until the second round of the NFL playoffs. He should be 100 percent with that game nearly five weeks away.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: QUARTERBACKS AND WIDE RECEIVERSBen Roethlisberger has a Grade 1 ankle sprain. He should be fine for Week 15. … Matt Hasselbeck’s calf injury is mild, but the Titans could very well use this as an opportunity to turn to Jake Locker. … Eagles WR Steve Smith (knee) is done for the year. … Chaz Schilens aggravated his foot injury in Week 14. … Kevin Kolb (concussion) is in doubt. … Jeremy Maclin’s hamstring tightened up on him in the second half in Week 14. He’s hard to trust right now. … Nate Washington aggravated his ankle injury late in the loss to the Saints. He’s in doubt. … Stevie Johnson is dealing with a hand injury.

WAIVERSDEFENSIVE SPOT STARTSAdding a different defense/special teams each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Here are units that might be on waivers to consider this week for streaming purposes:

1. BENGALS at Rams - The Bengals’ defense is no longer the elite unit it was in the first half of the season thanks to injuries, but they’re still solid. The Rams are averaging 11.0 points per game over the last six games and are on a short week.

2. FALCONS vs. Jaguars - It’s safe to say that the Jags’ 41-point Week 14 outburst had more to do with the Bucs’ miserable defense than any watershed moment for Blaine Gabbert and the offense. They are still ranked dead last in the league in yards per game.

3. COWBOYS at Bucs - After Sunday night’s heartbreaker, the Cowboys are in a total desperation spot against a banged up Josh Freeman.

Bonus play: TITANS at Colts

Adam Levitan is in his seventh season covering football and basketball for Rotoworld. He won the Fantasy Sports Writers Association award for Best Series in 2011 and 2009, and ESPN's overall fantasy football title in 2000. Find him on Twitter.Email :Adam Levitan